Metro Manila Boosts Disaster Preparedness with New MMDA Annex Building

PASIG CITY — Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. underscored the imperative for Metro Manila to enhance its disaster resilience to safeguard its residents, at the ground-breaking ceremony of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Annex Building and its enhanced communications command center on Tuesday.

According to Philippine News Agency, who also chairs the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the new facility in Pasig City is poised to serve multiple crucial roles. It will function as an emergency evacuation center during disasters and will also be used for training and seminars. “It is vital that we have a resilient Metropolitan Manila, not only its components but also as a whole,” Teodoro emphasized during the ceremony.

Teodoro elaborated on the broader goals of disaster risk reduction and the initiatives aimed at protecting the “heart and soul of the Philippines” from both natural and man-made calamities. He cited the ongoing resilience programs under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., highlighting the significance of projects such as the MMDA Annex in bolstering the area’s preparedness and response capabilities. “We have disaster risk reduction in place, we have a safe Metropolitan Manila area – safe from all sorts of natural and man-made calamities,” he stated.

The Defense Secretary also expressed gratitude towards acting MMDA chairperson Romando Artes for his contributions to the resilience initiatives. Artes offered the new center as an alternative command post for both the NDRRMC and the Office of Civil Defense during emergencies. Furthermore, Artes’s efforts have been pivotal in maintaining peace, ensuring safety, and promoting efficient transportation within Metro Manila, which includes tackling the challenges of infrastructure development and resilience measures like the Metro Manila-wide flood control project and traffic control initiatives.

Artes described the MMDA Annex building as more than just an extension of its main office. “It represents a significant expansion of our commitment to public service and a testament to our dedication to sustainability and resilience,” he commented.